Central Andean puna

The Central Andean puna is a montane grasslands and shrublands ecoregion in the Andes of southern Peru, Bolivia, and northern Argentina.[1]

Central Andean puna
Mount Tacora, in Chile
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmNeotropic
BiomeMontane grasslands and shrublands
Borders
Geography
Area161,400 km2 (62,300 sq mi)
CountriesPeru, Bolivia and Argentina

Setting

The landscape in this ecoregion consists of high mountains with permanent snow and ice, meadows, lakes, plateaus, and valleys. It transitions to the Central Andean wet puna to the north and the Central Andean dry puna to the south. Elevations range from 3,200 to 6,600 metres (10,500 to 21,700 ft).[1]

Climate

The climate is Köppen climate classification cold semi-arid. Precipitation ranges from 250 to 500 millimetres (9.8 to 19.7 in) per year.[1]

Flora

Flora consists typically of open meadows with rocks, bunchgrass, herbs, moss, and lichen. Grasses are represented by the genera Calamagrostis, Agrostis, and Festuca. Parastrephia lepidophylla and Margyricarpus are small bush species found here. Azorella compacta and Puya raimondi are shared with the wet puna. Polylepis, Buddleja, and Escallonia are trees found at lower elevations.[1]

Fauna

Darwin's rhea (Pterocnemia pennata) and the puna mouse (Punomys lemminus) are endemic bird and mammal species found here. Vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), guanaco (Lama guanicoe), chinchilla (Chinchilla brevicaudata), and viscacha (Lagidium) are also present. Threatened bird species include the royal cinclodes (Cinclodes aricomae), the tamarugo conebill (Conirostrum tamarugense), James's flamingo (Phoenicopterus jamesi), and the giant coot (Fulica gigantea).[1]

Natural areas

References
  1. "Central Andean puna". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
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